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Originally posted by bilmore
I was also saying that, yes. Not that I like it, but . . .

The Washington Post had a confusing poll yesterday (I think). A majority of people disapproved of "Bush's privatization plan", but a majority approved of the idea of allowing people to invest a portion of their SS accounts into the stock market. Made me think people don't quite understand what's going on.

In his press conference this morning, the President admitted that privatization would not address the problems with SS; instead, they are now supposed to "soften the blow" of the changes necessary to address those problems. Not surprising that people don't know what's going on.

"Because the — all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those — changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be — or closer delivered to what has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the — like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate — the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those — if that growth is affected, it will help on the red." Tampa, Fla., Feb. 4, 2005